Dulaney holds off Edmondson, 66-62

March 01, 1995|By Jeff Seidel | Jeff Seidel,Special to The Sun

Dulaney has not often enjoyed the fourth quarter or clutch situations this season. Last night, the Lions enjoyed both.

Sparked by Lisa Rutledge and Dawn Will, fourth-seeded Dulaney hit seven of 11 from the field and seven of nine from the line in the fourth quarter to hold off visiting and fifth-seeded Edmondson, 66-62, in a Class 4A North Region quarterfinal.

Dulaney (15-6) advances to the region semifinals tomorrow at top-seeded and top-ranked Western at 7 p.m. Edmondson finished the season at 11-8.

Despite leading by as many as 10 in the fourth quarter, the Lions needed to step up in several clutch situations -- and they did.

"We came through, and we came through when the pressure was on," said Dulaney coach Melba Williams. "Everybody was on."

Especially Rutledge (13 points) and Will (20 points). Will scored eight points in the fourth quarter, hitting four of five from the field.

Rutledge made five of six attempts from the line and added a three-pointer as the Lions fought off Edmondson charges.

The senior guard made three of four from the line in the final 21 seconds. She also helped Dulaney time and again beat the constant Edmondson pressure with her slick dribbling.

"I think we were having trouble breaking to the ball," said Rutledge. "[But] we were just so determined that we weren't going to let this go."

Edmondson, however, nearly took it. The Redskins spent most of the second half in end-to-end pressure that made it difficult for the Lions to set up their offense.

Dulaney had several chances to blow the Redskins away, and Edmondson had many opportunities to come closer and take the lead. But turnovers often stopped the momentum for both teams.

Both Dulaney and Edmondson turned the ball over 26 times. Eight fourth-quarter turnovers hurt the Redskins and let Dulaney expand its lead to 10 and stay in charge.

Good passing went a long way for the Lions. Dulaney repeatedly beat back the Edmondson pressure with pin-point passing, especially in fast-break situations.

Julie Cooper (seven points, four assists), Will (three assists), Rutledge and others often made quick passes to get their offense moving and find high-percentage shots. The Lions also got help on the offensive end from Tracy Miksis (10 points) and Katherine Cook (eight points).

For Edmondson, its first state playoff appearance almost turned out to be a memorable one. The Redskins kept hustling and gave Dulaney fits until the buzzer.

"We played the best that we could," said Edmondson coach Elise Collier. "Our kids played hard. I'm very proud of them."